Belinda Cres to Whale Rock

This walk starts from Belinda Cres and provides a lovely walk to Whale Rock. The walk first passes some exotic plants and then into more native bushland with some interesting canopies and dense growth. Whale Rock, one of the features of this walk, is quite a sight and is well worth exploring. It is possible to walk up the service trail to Boundary Rd from Whale Rock to make a one way walk.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the Whale Rock sign down the service trail which narrows into a bushtrack and follows Devlin creek through the gully all the way along until it widens out into a rocky service trail again and comes to the intersection of the Cheltenham service trail.

(0.72km) Int of Epping Trk and Malton Rd Trail → Big Ducky Waterhole

190 m

3 mins

3m

-1m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the Lane Cove River arrow along the servicetrail for a while before it loops around the top of Big Ducky Waterhole.

Big Ducky Waterhole

The servicetrail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)

(0.91km) Big Ducky Waterhole → Whale Rock

480 m

8 mins

6m

-9m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the top of Big Ducky Waterhole the continues through the valley keeping Devlins Creek below on the left of the track all the way to Whale Rock.

Whale Rock

This is a large boulder that looks eerily like a whale, complete with eye socket. It is a good place to break and climb around the Rock.

Maps for the Belinda Cres to Whale Rock walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Belinda Cres to Whale Rock

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

2.8 km

Time

1 Hr

.

Grade 3/6

Moderate track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 120m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

670m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 600m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (120m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 790m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 600m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 790m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 600m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 790m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 600m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Belinda Cres to Whale Rock walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-bctwr
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-bctwr
Forecast snapshot